Scottish landscape photography | Karen Thorburn Photography

I enjoy many genres of photography, from weddings to portraiture and architecture. However, I’m really a landscape photographer at heart! Landscape photography is something I’ve always been drawn to. I could almost describe it as ‘a calling’.

Landscape photography workshops

I hope you’ll enjoy browsing through my portfolio, from the agricultural landscapes surrounding my home on the Black Isle, to the spectacular scenery of the west coast, and some of the remotest islands in Scotland. If you’d like to improve your own landscape photography, then why not join me on a workshop? If you’re looking for some wall art, then please contact me for more information.

LANDSCAPE PHOTOGRAPHY WORKSHOPS

Black Isle Landscape Photography

Black Isle photography - the sun, between two bands of cloud, setting over a bay of water with birds on the surface

Black Isle photography - ruined castle in a field with shadows and straw bales in the foreground, with water and hills beyond

Black Isle photography - beech tree between two barley fields, with shadows in the foreground, and green fields beyond

Black Isle photography - tree silhouetted under a cloudy sky with shafts of sunlight over hills and forest in background

Black Isle photography - monochrome close-up of a waterfall with water flowing over dark rock in slow motion

Black Isle photography - straw bales in a field with trees and a ruined castle beyond, with mist inversion and hills behind

Black Isle photography - post sticking out of mudflat at low tide with oil rigs and hills in the distance under an orange sky

Black Isle photography - row of cottages between a barley field with shadows in the foreground and a bay on the other side

Black Isle photography - beech tree in a stubble field silhouetted against a dark sky with a band of light on the horizon

BLACK ISLE PHOTOGRAPHY WORKSHOP

Scottish Islands Landscape Photography

Dramatic sunset over a mountainous island, photographed from a beach with a stream running through it, reflecting the sunset

Beach with dark rocks and smooth sand in foreground with the sea beyond and the sun setting in a pink sky with dark clouds

Expanse of white bog cotton growing in grass below a low hill, with the sun setting on the horizon

Mountains, hills and trees under blue sky reflected in a lake with some reeds on the surface and rocks in the foreground

Rock and grass in the foreground, with mist in the valley beyond, overlooked by a mountain bathed in pink light

White Eriskay pony standing on shallow sand dunes on a beach, with the sea and hills in the distance

Man standing in front of a cairn, looking over a bay with a ship in it, with a jagged island behind it, and blue sea beyond

Distant green Scottish island and sea stacks in a blue sea under a blue sky, with a cliff face in the foreground

Monochrome image of a beach on a Scottish island with tall sand dunes and a snow-capped mountain behind and clouds in the sky

Blue and turquoise bay with a hill behind and, in the foreground, daisies growing in grass and a low rocky cliff face

Scottish Highlands Landscape Photography

Small wooden boathouse with trees in orange autumn colours behind, perfectly reflected on the surface of water in a lake

Mountains with a dusting of snow on the summit with a single white cloud in a blue sky, above moorland and small lakes

Landscape photograph of waves breaking on a beach with rocks in the foreground and, in the distance, a grassy headland

Mountain peak with snow on its slopes overlooking trees in autumn colours under blue sky, reflected in a Scottish loch

Waterfall photographed in slow motion, in a small gorge with smooth grey rocks on either side and dark pool at the base

Large waterfall in a river with rocks breaking the water surface, surrounded by autumn foliage, in green and orange colours

View over a Scottish landscape, with farm buildings in the foreground, trees in autumn foliage and hills and mountains beyond

Large grey boulder on top of granite on a grass slope overlooking a bay with mountains beyond, under a dramatic cloudy sky

Landscape Elements

Numerous yellow corn marigold flowers, some in soft focus, growing in a field of golden barley

Two bumblebees on the purple jagged head of a Scottish thistle, growing among long grass with green and brown tones

A large expanse of purple bluebells growing on a slope in a woodland with trees and ferns

Blue twine wrapped around a rusty metal gate with long grass and golden barley growing behind it

Stream flowing over rocks, some with leaves on them, in front of a grey stone wall with vegetation growing over it

Brown coloured clam shell lying on white coral and green seaweed, with water flowing towards it

Clutch of three spotted grey and cream coloured oystercatcher eggs, camouflaged on white shells and grey stones

Brown and pink granite stones in a stream with water flowing over the rocks

LANDSCAPE PHOTOGRAPHY WORKSHOPS

Connected to nature

I’m introverted and a perfectionist. These personality traits that make me naturally suited to this style of photography! I’m comfortable in my own company and I love seeking out quiet corners of the Highlands and Islands, to spend time alone with my camera. Solitude helps me to establish a deeper connection with the natural world. Without distractions, it’s possible to get completely absorbed in photography. I guess I’ve been practicing mindfulness for years without even realising it!

Small-scale beauty

I love capturing the small-scale beauty within the landscapes around us, as well as shooting ‘the big picture’. This is a great way to get closer to nature and learn about geology, shells, eggs, trees, plants, etc. I get a lot of amused looks from strangers when I have my back to a beautiful view while my camera is mounted on my tripod and pointed at the ground! Capturing an original image is almost guaranteed. More and more, I’m seeking out hidden gems instead of popular beauty spots.

Experimenting with style

There are common threads running through my landscape photography, regardless of locations and habitats. To create the illusion of a three-dimensional image on a two-dimensional screen, I use colour and natural elements within the landscape, such as shadows. That said, I’ve noticed my style changing a little in recent years, as I find myself capturing more black and white photographs and shooting into the light. I guess I’ve found my ‘style’ but enjoy experimenting too.

CONTACT KAREN

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